"There's ample evidence that abortion doctors on any number of occasions have deceived women into thinking that they're pregnant, and then collect money for a procedure that they don't perform," said Rick Tyler, a spokesperson for Akin's campaign. "And I say they don't perform it because obviously the women weren't pregnant."

Yes, Akin is claiming there's a secret faction of rogue doctors performing fake abortions for profit. With a record of accurate statements like Akin's, why wouldn't anyone take him seriously?

Of course, Akin's claim doesn't make much sense. That "ample evidence" Akin's representative speaks of? It comes from just two sources: a 1978 investigation by the Chicago Sun-Times and the statements of a former Planned Parenthood official.

In other words, Akin's claim is based on a 34-year-old newspaper report and a possibly disgruntled former employee. And, when asked if abortion-for-profit is still a problem, Tyler, Akin's spokesperson, admitted their campaign's stance was pure speculation: